Wayne Rooney to be Manchester United's main striker next year

Wayne Rooney will be used as Manchester United’s primary striker this season, perhaps putting to bed rumours that Louis van Gaal wants to add another world-class frontman to his team.

According to the Daily Telegraph the Dutchman has made the decision to instill Rooney as his go-to forward, having accepted that the England captain’s threat is somewhat nullified when he’s forced to play further back.

Van Gaal plans

It’s also believed that Van Gaal wants Pedro to serve Rooney from a position on the right-side of an attacking triumvirate, with one of Ashley Young, Angel Di Maria or Memphis Depay starting from the left.

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Over the past week it’s been repeatedly suggested that Pedro is Van Gaal’s next top transfer target, calling into question the speculation that insists he will attempt to bring in the likes of Edinson Cavani Robert Lewandowski.

No move for a replacement

The Telegraph’s report certainly pours water on the flames of rumours stating that Rooney wouldn’t be the club’s main striking option next season, with it said that neither Cavani or Lewandowski will be moving clubs in the coming weeks.

Instead Van Gaal’s is thought to want to play a 4-3-3 formation next term, with Rooney operating as the central prong of the trident and being backed up by the likes of Pedro, Depay and potentially Di Maria and Young.

In truth the 63-year-old doesn’t have many options when it comes to leading his line anymore, having relinquished the services of Robin van Persie and opted not to sign Radamel Falcao on a permanent deal.

Attacking options

Javier Hernandez can boast being a very good backup for Rooney, but James Wilson isn’t going to provide any sort of immediate threat for a regular starting berth.

And so it may be that United’s main threat comes from their attacking unit as a whole rather than the exploits of one particular target man.

The last time the Red Devils won the Premier League they had an in-from Van Persie occupying such a capacity, and the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City can call upon Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero respectively.

Rooney in front of goal

That said Rooney isn’t exactly goal shy all told. In the 2011/12 campaign Rooney bagged himself 27 Premier League goals and two seasons before that he finished with 34 across all competitions.

Such stats prove that when called upon he can certainly do a job, and with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Juan Mata and potentially Pedro assisting him, it’s unlikely he will be starved of opportunities.

United fans, can Rooney leading the line result in you winning the Premier League? Let us know in the comments box below.

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